Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernando Armas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when I was a kid 8-10 years old. My step father was a gardener and would occasionally trim his client’s trees. I knew there was money to be made…I told him how much money would he give me if I got him trees to trim. He said 10% and I made flyers. I would go gardening with him and pass out my flyers in the neighborhood. I got him calls and trees to trim. Yeah, I made extra money to buy toys. As time went on, gradually I got off focus to play with friends and be a kid. After I graduated high school and was not sure what do. First of all, I was already a father to a new born, my son Fernando Armas III. I tried going to college full time. I could not handle it…needed money for my son. I took on odd jobs and hustled whatever legally made extra cash. Then one day I remembered about the trees and money. I had some money on the side and payed for contractor school to obtain my license. I isolated myself from the world. Day and night, I studied …. even went to bed listening to audio books. Within 15 months I was ready to take the state license board exams. I passed the first try…changed my life! I was ready for life to begin.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a smooth road to stability in life. Challenges and obstacles have crossed my way. It has been up to me to believe in myself and continue. One of the challenges in business has been advertising getting the ball rolling. When obtaining my license, I went big…signed up with several phone book companies full color page ads. The ads were very very expensive. Keep in mind I started my business 2004, the internet was not what it is now. Most people depended on yellow pages to search for a service. Paying for advertisement and buying tools/equipment was very challenging. It was more like a sacrifice at times. Tree service equipment is not cheap! Good equipment cost money. I managed to stay afloat and not drown the first years in business. Was not easy to do…. faith and prayers have helped. Other challenges in business were discouragement from adversaries. You are to young…. you don’t know what you’re doing…cost too much to maintain a business. I would hear it but not intake it…like the wind it would just blow away. No matter what the challenge would be over coming it made me stronger.
Any Kind of Tree Service – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Well the name of my company is Any Kind of Tree service. That says it all…but we specialize in manicuring trees and vegetation. We remove trees from 3′ to over 100′ tall. Some of our tree removals are done climbing on the tree and some are done with cranes. Stump and root removal is something we also do. No matter how big or tough a stump looks we can remove it. People call us to put tree bandages on a split limb. We also get pets down from a tree. Like a cat or bird. lately people have contacted us to remove drones that have got stuck on trees. Landscaping is something we also do from hardscape to softscape. You would be surprised the stuff that can be done with some railroad ties and broken pieces of used concrete in one’s property. I take lots of pride in our work and it shows! Every job I perform and complete is done as if it was my own property. I make sure it is done right and the client is happy.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success when I see a smile on my clients face. It makes me feel great! That smiling client is going to use me again and refer me to people they know. Success is also performing/ executing the job safely.
Pricing:
- Average tree trim $450.00
- Average stump removal$ 250.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 5450 S Slauson Ave #222 Culver City CA, 90230
- Website: anykindoftreeservice.com
- Phone: (310) 473-6439
- Email: [email protected]
